... Pakistain's former prime minister, whose occasional feats of mental gymnastics could be awe-inspiring ...
revealed here on Friday that during his government an understanding had been reached with the establishment that then president retired Gen
Pervez PervMusharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
would be given an honourable exit if he resigned, instead of going through impeachment proceedings.
Talking to journalists during a visit to PPP's Sindh Media Cell, Mr Gilani said that talks held with the establishment had led to the understanding about Gen Musharraf's resignation and going abroad.
He claimed that it was a big achievement and said that a person who had become president after a referendum which was also endorsed by the judiciary had agreed to resign as a result of successful negotiations.
Former premier says then army chief Gen Kayani
... four star general, current Chief of Army Staff of the Mighty Pak Army. Kayani is the former Director General of ISI...
wanted the decision about North
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Wazoo operation to be taken only by himselfAccording to Online, Mr Gilani said the PML-N was also part of the talks held with the establishment to get rid of Gen Musharraf. It had been decided to let the former president go if he stepped down, he said, adding that it wasn't possible to ask a powerful military ruler to resign without the assistance of the establishment.
Mr Gilani said PML-N's present conduct on the issue of Gen Musharraf was not correct because it should keep in mind the details agreed upon with the establishment. He said he did not support Gen Musharraf but was only informing the nation about the commitments made that time.
On a question relating to North Waziristan, he said his government did not take up the matter of launching an operation because then army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani wanted the decision to be taken only by himself.
Mr Gilani rejected perceptions about democracy facing threats or chances of changes in the government in near future and advised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
and PTI chief Imran Khan
... aka
Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems...
to resolve issues because politicians should always keep the doors of talks open. They should normalise their relations and work for strengthening democracy and parliament.
Answering a question, he said holding public meetings and taking out processions were constitutional rights of every party, but the PPP would not back any unconstitutional move to derail the democratic set-up. The politics of the 1990s has been rejected by the people and the PPP will not indulge in politics of confrontation.
He called for compliance with the Constitution and said the leadership in Punjab should broaden its vision, look beyond Lahore and adopt a countrywide approach.
The former premier said the government had not taken the people and politicianship of the country into confidence about talks with Taliban and the military operation in North Waziristan.
He said people did not tolerate anyone for a long period and, therefore, it would be better to reduce the tenure of a government from five years to four.